Art student hits out at college

9:24am Wednesday 11th June 2008

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ART student Alana Ward-Craner has criticised tutors at Stroud College who say her work is too disturbing to be shown as part of the main exhibition at its end of year show.

Alana, 19, who is studying a foundation course in art and design, submitted a series of graphic staged photographs designed to highlight cruelty to animals as her end of year piece.

However, staff say the work is too disturbing to form part of the main exhibition and have locked it away in a separate room.

Visitors are welcome to view the work but have to ask and there is a warning sign.

The college says it has to protect young people from 'adult' subject matter and does not want to cause offence to anyone visiting the exhibition.

Alana says her photographs are designed to highlight the cruelty of the food industry and what she sees as our disregard for animal welfare.

The scenes feature a naked female model who is supposed to be going through the food process.

In one shot she is shown hanging by her arms and legs in what is meant to be a 'human abattoir'.

She is dripping with fake blood as if her throat has been cut.

The work is also meant to explore our attitude to animals in a wider sense.

In one shot the model is seen lying on a road with a tyre mark across her stomach as if she had been struck by a car and left for dead like roadkill.

Alana is asking the viewer how they would feel if it was a human being lying on the road.

"At first I was told by my tutor that my work was fine," said Alana.

"My mum is a vegan like me and she helped to set up the images so we are both really annoyed that the photos will not be going up alongside everyone else's work."

In a statement, college principal Dr Beri Hare pointed out that tutors thought Alana's piece was of a high standard, adding that she will pass her course.

Commenting on the exhibition, she said: "The college has a duty of care under the law to protect young people from subject matter that could be considered of an adult nature.

"We encourage students to be creative and to experiment; however we appreciate that occasionally this work maybe misinterpreted or cause offence."

Alana is aiming for a career as a documentary photography and says she will continue making photographs that are designed to 'open people's eyes'.

* Have you seen the piece? Do you agree with the college's decision?